Gas prices hold steady in Florida

The average price of a gallon of gasoline remained stable in Florida since last Monday and increased slightly nationwide, according to AAA.

Staff report

The average price of a gallon of gasoline remained stable in Florida since last Monday and increased slightly nationwide, according to AAA.

The auto club reported an average price in Florida of $3.422 for a gallon of regular gasoline, which was about the same as it was a week earlier. Nationwide, the average price increased 4 cents to $3.349.

Oil prices increased last week because of optimism that European and U.S. economies are improving and will have higher demand, according to an analysis by AAA.

"Oil prices are on an upswing right now and gas prices are starting to follow suit," AAA spokeswoman Jessica Brady said in a prepared statement. "Although motorists shouldn't see too much fluctuation in gas prices at the moment, prices are sure to rise in March. So far this year, we have not seen record-breaking pump prices and the cost for a gallon of gas remains below year-ago levels."

In Gainesville recent gas prices ranged from $3.41 to $3.69, according to www.gasbuddy.com.

In Ocala recent gas prices ranged from $3.11 to $3.61, according to www.gasbuddy.com.